How to Remove Burn Marks from Plastic

Julie asked: How do I remove burn marks from white upvc? We have burn marks from cigarette ash that landed on our window sill from the flat above. We need to remove the marks. The window sill is white, plastic upvc. Thanks.

Burnt plastic not only makes a dreadful smell, it can leave a lasting mark. When determining how to fix it, the first thing to look at is how deep the burn goes. Are there bubbles on the surface of the plastic at the burn site or do the scorch marks just discolor the surface? Once you’ve determined the extent of the damage, you can choose the appropriate method to fix it. As a last resort, use one of our ideas to cover up the area as best as possible.

Steps to Remove the Scorch Mark:

Begin by using the soft cloth and mild soap to remove as much of the scorch mark as possible.

Rinse thoroughly with water.

To remove the remaining discoloration,

Apply a layer of the chosen cleaning product to the scorched area. If using the Magic Eraser, simply wet it and scrub the area gently until the stain is removed.

Allow it to set on the stain for a few minutes.

Scrub the area lightly with either a scrub brush or toothbrush.

Wipe the area clean with a soft cloth and water.

If the stain remains, choose a second cleaner and apply it following the same method as above. Different surfaces may react differently to various cleaners, so it is worth trying several before giving up.

Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water after each cleaning, and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

If the mark cannot be removed, the burn may be more severe than just a scorch mark. To remove deeper burns, use the method below.

Comments

Alka-Seltzer as a cleaning agent? Seriously? It’s baking soda and aspirin. Don’t pay extra for the dissolving tablet and aspirin when you only want the cleaning power, just get the baking soda and mix it with water. For a nifty science experiment, mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide!

I have a similar problem as the person above me. I have a tablet that has a burn/scortch mark on the upper corner. It’s annoying and it’s all I see when I look at it. I can’t remove any parts, so using water or cleaners aren’t really safe, I’m guessing. I tried using a small file for sanding it a little, but it’s not really working. If anyone knows what I could do, or has any ideas, I’d appreciate it very much!!

Sabz,
Try one of the cleaners suggested in the first section of the article. Most of them are a very fine abrasive (scouring powder – the toothpaste included), which can help to remove the mark better than scrubbing alone. If the mark is deep, you may need to use the method in the second section of the article: Removing and Filling In the Burnt Area.